Homestead Dogs The Best Breeds for Every Job

Homestead dogs, the best breeds for every job. A good dog on your homestead can make such a difference! But not every breed is suited to every job on a hobby farm or homestead. Dogs have been companions and co-workers for thousands of years and can make the homesteading life more rich and rewarding… they aren’t called man’s (woman’s) best friend for nothing!

Homestead dogs are amazing partners. Some offer they skills in guarding and protection, others can herd and keep the livestock contained while others will help you keep the pest population down. Sure, many breeds offer a combination of those qualities as well. And almost every dog can work hard and still be a loyal friend and family companion.

For this post I am going to group homestead dogs into 4 general groups: Livestock Guardians, Home Protection, Herding and Pest Control.

Homestead Dogs The Best Breeds for Every Job

Homesteading Dogs – Livestock Guardians

Most livestock guardians grow up and live with the very livestock they are meant to protect. These animals become their pack and they naturally become protective of them. Livestock guardians can live among chickens, goats, sheep and more. You want to make sure you get your pup from a reputable breeder who has their moms teaching the pups from the get-go.

Breeds to Consider:

Akbash

Anatolian Shepherd

Great Pyrenees

Komondor

Maremma

Homesteading Dogs – Home Protection

Home protection, whether you’re out in the country or an urban homesteader, is an important consideration. I won’t say much on this topic, except to say do your research on this topic. Your needs may be different than another homesteader. You want to make sure that the breed you choose closely matches your needs concerning home, animals and family.

Breeds to Consider:

Bernese Mountain Dog

Boxers

German Shepherd

Great Danes

Newfoundlands

Homesteading Dogs – Herding

Herding dogs will help you gather and move groups of animals to your desired location. Most of these breeds do this instinctually, but will need training to follow your commands. You may be able to find a dog that is already trained and ready to work but the price of such a dog will be significantly more expensive; however so is training. Many of these dogs will offer your animals protection as well though most will not be accustomed to living with the animals. They need to know that they are in command of the flocks they herd.

Breeds:

Australian Shepherd –we have had miniature Aussies since 1995 and they are amazing animals

Australian Cattle Dog

Border Collie

Bouvier des Flandres

Welsh Corgie

Homesteading Dogs – Pest Control

Most people think of cats when they think “pest control” on the homestead. But many dog breeds were developed to rid properties of rodents. They are excellent hunters and will exterminate as well. These breeds can also be useful with other pests like foxes, badgers, moles and more. Again most of this will be on instinct but better performance can come through good training.

Breeds:

Dachshunds

German Pinscher

Miniature Schnauzer

Rat Terrier (or almost any other terrier)

How to Find the Right Breeder

Get recommendations from fellow homesteaders

Focus on breeders with working animals vs show dogs

Check the breed standard websites

What About Mutts & Rescues

Mutts and rescues and be a great addition to the homestead. But because you may never know the breeds, history, etc of these animals you will want to proceed with caution. I am not a breed snob in any way but there is something to be said for a animal that has been selectively bred and raised for the purpose or job you need them for. So if you decide to go with a mixed breed or a rescue dog for work on your homestead make sure you get as much history on the animal as possible. Do not give him or her free access to your animals until you’ve done some test runs with them; and be prepared for them to NOT want to live outside with your livestock if they’ve never done that before.

How to Care for Your Homestead Dog

I recommend you offer:

Good veterinarian care

Have a dog-specific first aid kit readily available

Be cautious and know if your neighbors are setting poisons out for pests; too many dogs lose their lives to this means of rodent control

An excellent quality dog food or a raw diet for prime health and wellness and plenty of water

Time to rest

Working dogs still need love from their family

Final Thoughts

The homestead dog will quickly become your partner and another member of the family. Choose wisely and make sure the breed you choose meets your needs and never chosen on looks alone. A working dog needs a job; without one they can become bored, destructive and a down right nuisance.

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Comments

I had 4 while we had our off grid farm. We raised Scotch Highland cattle. 3 of my dogs were from a reputable small scale show home. 1 a rescue from a kill shelter. None had ever seen a cow. Instinct kicks in. They were great. Herding cattle,rodent control ,babysitting sick animals,warming and comforting newborn calves born in blizzards and guarding my grandchildren. Can never say enough good things.

I come from a family of dog breeders, and a word of caution with “herding dogs” and small children/toddlers, these dogs can “nip” when their instincts kick in around tots, not every one, some won’t, but just sending out something to consider….. I also do not recommend Dachshunds around small children…..

Thanks for this article. I have several friends that raise LGD’s and this is wonderful information. Just a heads up, when I went to share this pin on my FB page (my homestead life) it wouldn’t pull your image for the post? Not sure if it’s on Pin end or not.

We have a 6 month old Airedale terrier that we brought to our farm. He’s pretty large (about 70 lbs) and is already doing awesome pest control work for us. I was worried that he might be in constant hunt mode, but he is very gentle and is starting to become protective of my two children. We have had issues with foxes in the past but we haven’t seen them in a couple of months now.

Collies will nip when they are puppies, but they can be trained not to herd and nip people. We have had collides for over 25 years. The smooth collie is best for herding cattle. They are very loyal and prospective of family members. They can be standoffish with others, but not aggressive. My 11 y.o. collie was bitten by rattlesnake (and survived) last summer while I was walking behind him. He went into protective mode and saved me from a bite.

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